ON THE RISE
Hip-hop artist, Lyrical Chris, delivers his latest single, “Level 5,” an ode to his hip-hop genre of “5D rap.” The emerging artist invites listeners to his musical universe, where high vibrational, non-religious rap transcends to a whole new level.
Born and raised in Tifton, Georgia, Lyrical Chris knew he wanted to start rapping from early childhood. “My big brother used to rap, and I tried to emulate him,” shares the artist. “As I grew older, I wanted to rap all the time. At school, I had freestyle battles with my friends. At home, I listened to instrumentals and figured out how to be the best rapper I wanted to be. Those periods helped me develop into who I am as Lyrical Chris.”
When he first got started, Lyrical Chris went by “Lil Crazy.” He underwent a transformation in both sound and name as he started listening to lyrical rappers like Lupe Fiasco and Kendrick Lamar. “It made me want to change my name, because I was more lyrical sided than generic, basic rap,” explains Chris.
In 2021, Lyrical Chris debuted his first single. “Once I heard that beat, I started recording,” he shares of the experience. From there, his music took off. In 2024, he released his debut album, Prewrite. Now, in 2025, he’s working on the next project, Rough Draft, and releasing his latest single, “Level 5,” along with a music video.
Since its release, “Level 5” has garnered positive feedback by excited listeners. “People are loving it,” tells Lyrical Chris. “They really get an understanding of what I mean by Level 5. It’s about putting you in a fifth dimensional consciousness. Good times and good vibes. As you play it over and over, it brings great things to you in life.”
Demonstrating an evolution from his original sound, “Level 5” introduces a whole new sound to the industry. “People are saying it’s different than what they hear in mainstream rap right now,” Lyrical Chris explains. “I want people to get that I’m creating a new genre. I’m meeting you on Level 5, not the traditional Level 3 of 3D. It’s a new level of rap I’m bringing myself and other rappers to. It’s heaven on earth.”
Lyrical Chris’s musical movement of “5D rap” follows ten rules, which are described on his website, in each song. To create his original sound, Lyrical Chris explores instrumentals until he finds one that speaks to him. “As soon as I heard the one for Level 5, I created the hook. Everything else went along with it. I rapped things in my head as I heard the beat—the subject matter, how I wanted the lyrics to form, the chorus, the verses. Then I played around with the instrumentals for the bridge and outro.” Instead of working with a producer, Lyrical Chris enjoys using instrumentals that have already been produced. “It’s better when they have material out and I can look at it like a buffet—they put food out, and I try and see if I like it, then I get more of it.”
In addition to being a monumental rapper, Lyrical Chris is a plant-based eater. “I’ve been vegan for eight years. Being on that diet has helped me be a better artist. I’ve written better songs and have a clearer mind on how I want to create. There aren’t a million things in my head interfering with what I want to put out. It lets me zero in on what I’m trying to do and want to do, my vision as a rapper.”
Make sure to stay connected to Lyrical Chris on all platforms for new music, videos, and social posts.
Welcome to SOUND ADVICE, Interview’s weekly space for playlists put together by artists, collaborators, and people from all corners of our circle. Over the past few weeks, we’ve highlighted selections from Zack Fox, Danny L Harle, and Mckayla Twiggs. This latest edition spotlights British French songwriter and producer Lauren Auder, who released her second album, “Whole World as Vigil,” just last week. Created alongside Dviance and Alex Parish, the project explores the emotional layers of human relationships, from the struggles to the moments of beauty. To celebrate the release, we invited Auder to curate a playlist for us and share a few personal insights along the way.
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Where do you dance? In the bedroom.
London or France? Unfair advantage for France, being a whole country.
What song on this playlist is your guilty pleasure? I have no guilty pleasures!
What’s your favorite sound effect? Roblox “OOH” or Bathory’s horse neigh on their album Blood Fire Death.
Dream collab, dead or alive? Lou Reed, obviously.
Who do you trust most with the aux? My roommate, Cajm.
What do you pray about? More time, more rest.
Best arrondissement in Paris? 20th probably?
What song is currently on replay? “Close to the Edge” by Yes.
What album was your coming-of-age soundtrack? Mysterious Phonk: Chronicles of SpaceGhostPurrp.
Tell us a secret. I cheated my way through Latin class in secondary school.
Night or day? Day!
What is your studio session pet peeve? Weed smell :/
Which Skins character did you relate to the most? None, I’m 27!
What are you listening to as you complete this questionnaire? Space heater next to my bed, Italian lesson next door.
What does your notes app look like? Incriminating.
You just arrived at the function. What are you drinking? What are you smoking? Cheap lager or expensive red wine, a Syrah if it’s winter.
The world is ending. What are you wearing True religion jeans and a white button down, as per.
